Lusonal

What is Lusonal?

Lusonal is a prescription medicine that is used to treat nose stuffiness.

Description

Phenylephrine is an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist. BIORPHEN (phenylephrine hydrochloride) injection, 0.1 mg/mL, is a sterile, nonpyrogenic, clear and colorless solution for intravenous use. It MUST NOT BE DILUTED before administration as an intravenous bolus. The chemical name of phenylephrine hydrochloride is (-)-m-hydroxy-α-[(methylamino) methyl] benzyl alcohol hydrochloride, its molecular formula is C₉H₁₃NO₂ • HCl (Molecular Weight: 203.67) and its structural formula is depicted below:

Phenylephrine hydrochloride is soluble in water and ethanol, and insoluble in chloroform and ethyl ether.

Each mL contains: phenylephrine hydrochloride 0.1 mg(equivalent to 0.08 mg of phenylephrine base), sodium chloride 9.0 mg, in water for injection. The pH is adjusted with hydrochloric acid if necessary. The pH range is 3.0 -5.0.

Before taking Lusonal, tell your doctor:

• If you are allergic to Lusonal; any part of this medicine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have high blood pressure.
• If you have taken certain drugs for depression or Parkinson’s disease in the last 14 days. This includes isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, selegiline, or rasagiline. Very high blood pressure may happen.
• If you are taking any of these drugs: Linezolid or methylene blue.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this medicine.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Lusonal with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Lusonal?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take Lusonal. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Do not take more than what your doctor told you to take. Taking more than you are told may raise your chance of very bad side effects.
• Do not take Lusonal for longer than you were told by your doctor.
• Different brands of Lusonal may be for use in different ages of children. Talk with the doctor before giving Lusonal to a child.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.

How is Lusonal best taken?

Use Lusonal as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
• Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with Lusonal. If there is none, ask the pharmacist for a device to measure Lusonal.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• If you take Lusonal on a regular basis, take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
• Many times Lusonal is taken on an as needed basis. Do not take more often than told by the doctor.

What are the side effects of Lusonal that I need to call my doctor about immediately?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
• Chest pain or pressure or a fast heartbeat.
• Shakiness.

What are some other side effects of Lusonal?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Dizziness or headache.
• Feeling nervous and excitable.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Restlessness.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If overdose is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Lusonal?

• Store at room temperature protected from light. Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

SRC: NLM .